¦ Minute List ¦
¦ January 2015 ¦  February 2015 ¦  March 2015 ¦  April 2015 ¦  May 2015 ¦  June 2015 ¦  July 2015 ¦  September 2015 ¦
 October 2015 ¦  November 2015 ¦  December 2015 ¦


October 2015

Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Llangunnor Community Council held in 'Yr Aelwyd', Tregynnwr at 6.30pm on Thursday 15th October 2015.

PRESENT: Councillor Glenda Lloyd (Chair), Robin Griffiths, Geraint Bevan, Lee Whatley, Paul Totterdale, David Watson, Alun West, Elwyn Williams, Alexandra Trowbridge-Mathews, Sandra Thomas and Selwyn Thomas

APOLOGIES: Councillors Margaret Wilkins and Dafydd Williams

Before commencing the meeting the Chair informed the meeting of the sad death of Mrs Doreen Valentine, she was a former member of the Community Council for some years and was Chair in 2009-2010. The meeting observed a minute's silence in her memory.
Police Report

PCSO Jade Jones had sent her apologies as there had been a change in her shift pattern. Items that arose from previous meetings

a) She had reported at last meeting that equipment was available from Carmarthen Police Station to help prevent burglaries, it was reported that this was not the case, Clerk to follow up.
b) 2 members of the public had shown an interest in the Community Watch Scheme.
c) Jade to be reminded that she was going to supply material to place on web/facebook in respect of burglaries.
d) It was unanimously agreed that an officer from Dyfed Powys Police be invited to a Council meeting to provide information on private CCTV.
e) Advice on tailgating circulated.

1. Chair's Announcements

a) School had agreed to laminate sheets for 'turning on lights' evening
b) Babell were happy to have refreshments afterwards, and also if weather was poor the evening could be held in the Chapel
c) She had received an invite to attend Harvest Festival at the Babell on 18th October and school on 23rd October
d) She had accompanied children from the school on planting daffodils in Pensarn.

2. Declaration of Interest

None

3. Minutes.

It was moved by Cllr West and seconded by Cllr Griffiths (minute 1015-3) and RESOLVED to approve as a correct record the minutes of the monthly Council meeting and Planning Sub-Committee held on 17th September 2015.

4. Matter Arising

Matters raised/Resolved outside meetings

1. Disabled Parking Sign - Have informed Carmarthenshire County Council that sign still there, to date no response.
2. Sticle Path - Has now been cleared.
3. Yellow lines in Haulfryn - New plan received showing lines extended past coloured tarmac.
4. Grit Bin Haulfryn - Response from Carmarthenshire County Council "I'm pleased to be able to advise that it has been agreed to install a new grit bin by the new sign, as requested. It will be done in the next few weeks and certainly before the onset of Winter".
5. Binbags dumped in stream - Carmarthenshire County Council Environmental section to visit and advise.
6. Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam - Awaiting response.
7. Path Talar/Penymorfa - Clerk reported that he had received information for Carmarthenshire County Council that there was a possibility of this and the other 2 unadopted paths being made Public Right of Ways. It was agreed that this matter be noted and that it be reviewed in the spring.
8. Archives - Carmarthenshire County Council response "A paper considering options for the long term future of the archive service is due to be presented to the executive board in the coming weeks".
9. Issue just off Blaengwastod Road - The pathway between 16 and 17 Glanffynnon, awaiting response from Carmarthenshire County Council.
10. Lighting in Penymorfa - Query raised in respect of lights kept on all night following recent burglaries, Carmarthenshire County Council - "This was in relation to one lamp in Bryntywi, Llangunnor (Lamp 701-433) which was reported to us and upon asking the police they suggested that this one lamp be put back on to all night operation. This lamp was put back to all night operation on 09/09/2015".

5. The Park

Recommendations from Park / Environment Sub-Committee (29/09/15)

• The Hut - Following a meeting between Clerk/Chair and officers of Carmarthenshire County Council it was apparent that original option of taking hut down to approx. 1m in height was not viable as the corner support timber pillars were rotted and in need of substantial repair, the officers advised that any repair work would be expensive. Following a lengthy discussion the sub-committee recommend that the hut is now demolished and removed from site. Further picnic tables are then placed on the concrete hardstanding that will remain. As there will be quite a drop to the front of this hardstanding a handrail will have to be placed, the sub-committee have asked the Clerk to consult with Carmarthenshire County Council to see if the land can be graded to avoid the need for a handrail - he is awaiting a reply. Initial estimate for demolition - £4,500 + VAT. Council decision (Minute 1015-5) it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk write to Carmarthenshire County Council stating that the Council wished for the hut to be removed.
• Bins/litter - Carmarthenshire County Council had some bins in storage and hopefully these will be placed in the park over next few weeks. They will be metal and set in a concrete plinth.
• Tree planting - The sub-committee supported Cllr Griffiths suggestion of placing tree in Llangunnor Road at the location of the tree that was recently cut down and recommend this to Council. Agreed at full Council that Clerk proceeds with this.
• Path from Talar to Penymorfa - Some confusion in respect of whether path was to be adopted and whether some cutting had taken place. Sub-committee recommends that Clerk makes some enquiries and reports to next Council meeting. The cost for cleaning up the path is £450 plus VAT. Full Council Decision - See note above - this to be reviewed in the spring.
• Christmas Tree and turning on of lights - Clerk reported that Handyman had confirmed that he had made arrangements to pick up and deliver xmas tree to usual location. The sub-committee make the following recommendations:
i) The handyman arrange for the collection of the tree as usual,
ii) The Clerk liaise with Wyn Davies to assist with the lights,
iii) The Clerk invite the school choir to sing at the event and that the school council chair be invited to turn on the lights,
iv) Cllr Whatley supply the PA system etc.
v) Cllr Lloyd to contact Babell Chapel to see if it is possible to have some refreshments after the event,
vi) In the case of very poor weather the choir will perform at the Babell Chapel if available
vii) The Clerk reported that previously Council had agreed that the ministers of the Church/Babell/Philadelphia in turn would give a blessing at the event. Cllr Whatley reported that Rev Shepherd was away, therefore the minister at Philadelphia be invited.

All noted by Council.

6. Web Sub-Committee Update.

Clerk reported that sub-committee had met and further improvements / changes to the web/facebook had been agreed. The sub-committee had also agreed that all members of the Council be given analytical access to facebook.

7. Finance Sub-Committee Update

The Clerk reported that the Finance Sub-Committee had met earlier that evening, the following recommendations made to Council:

• The Financial Report (Oct 2015) be accepted - copies to be circulated to members of the Council.
• A sum of £3,000 be allocated to each ward for small capital projects, the Finance Sub-Committee to approve any suggestions.
• That Clerk makes enquiries with Carmarthenshire County Council in respect of S106 monies that had been allocated, once this is determined Finance Sub. and Park Sub. to meet to develop projects to spend this money.
• The Clerks contract be changed be amended that he be required to attend 11 monthly meetings and the AGM only, all other meetings to be treated as extra meetings and he be paid £48 for each meeting attended, if the meeting was over 4 hours then this would be £96, this to be back dated to April 2015. This unanimously approved by Council (Minute 1015-7)

8. Public Speaking at Meeting - following Motion by Cllr Whatley.

The Chair / Vice Chair / Chair of Planning make the following recommendations to Council:

• Any member of the public can attend but the question / observation must be relevant to Llangunnor Parish - The relevance will be decided by the Chair of Meeting.
• A period of 12 minutes only be allowed for this agenda item, each contribution will not be more than 3 minutes.
• The decision on who should ask questions will be at the discretion of the Chair.
• Only the Chair or Clerk will respond to any questions / observations unless the County Councillor has any updates from the County Council. Where applicable answers will be given immediately, otherwise clerk will confirm in email or writing within 14 days or as below. There will be no debate on any matter raised.
• If the matter raised requires discussion / decision from Council then the matter will be placed on agenda of next meeting.
• This 12 minute slot will be placed after Chair's Announcements on the Agenda of each meeting.
• The format of these meetings will be reviewed by the Chair / Vice/ Chair of Planning after the AGM, unless current Chair decides to bring the review forward.

9. Probation Office.

Cllr Griffiths outlined his reason for having this matter on the agenda, it was unanimously resolved that (Minute 1015-9) that the Clerk write to the Police Commissioner expressing disappointment that the Probation Office had remained closed for so long, the Council further ask that if there were no plans for the office that it be put up for sale so that it can be developed and brought back into use.

10. Reports from Members Representing Council on other Bodies.

• River Association - Cllr Watson reported that the River Association was continuing with plans for the 40th anniversary, it was hoped for more involvement from local businesses.
• River Festival - Cllr Watson reported that the River Festival had met and that in partnership with the water service trust were attempting to educate river users and raising awareness of the dangers involved. He asked that the Council 'like' on Facebook all bodies involved in this.
• One Voice Wales - Cllr Watson had attended the AGM with Cllr Dafydd Williams. Cllr Williams to provide brief report.
• School Governers - Cllr Elwyn Williams reported that he and Carmarthenshire County Council's Education Committee had been at Llangunnor School.

11. Approve Schedule of Accounts Sept/Oct 2015

It was Resolved (minute 1015-11) proposed Cllr Whatley and seconded Cllr Totterdale (unanimous):

A) Council is requested to consider and approve the following items of expenditure:

Payee Info (£) Amount
E Williams Playing Field (30/09/15) 75.00
CJ Thomas Salary - Oct 2015 612.84
Office Allowance - Oct 2015 95.00
IT Allowance - Oct 2015 35.00
Sunshine Playgrounds New Swing 7,356.00
Bowen & Weaving Printer & Ink 205.00
Cllr Dafydd Williams Travelling (One Voice Wales AGM) 36.90
Babell Chapel Chair Donation 50.00

B) Council to note receipt of income: None

12. Correspondence

It was RESOLVED (minute 1015-12) that the following correspondence be noted/action taken.

No Nature of Correspondence Agreed Action
1 Copy of letter from Carmarthen Riverside Assoc. - Asking for information from Carmarthenshire County Council in respect of "Japanese Knotweed and other vegetation". Noted
2 Ombudsman - Annual Report Copy with Clerk
3 External Audit Arrangements - Change from BDO to Grant Thornton Noted
4 Proposed changes to remuneration of Community & Town Councils Noted
5 Mid & West Wales Fire Service - 'have your say' Noted and circulated
6 Charging for Parking and the Relationship to High Streets and Their Success - Petition Noted and circulated
7 Planning Inspectorate - Further information on Western Power Distribution Application Noted
8 Code of Conduct Training - Llandeilo Noted
9 Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales Draft Annual Report - February 2016 Noted
10 Invitation from British Legion to attend Poppy launch and Remembrance service Noted by Chair

13. Any Other Business.

• Chair asked for the annual dinner to be placed on agenda of next meeting.
• It was noted that the Church Remembrance Service would be held on the 8th November.
• Cllr Griffiths asked that the composition of the sub-committees be placed on the agendas of the next meetings.
• Cllr Sandra Thomas asked that advice be given to school children on the safety aspects of riding bicycles.
• Clerk to write to Carmarthenshire County Council highlighting that speed humps were damaged.
• Cllr Sandra Thomas expressed disappointment that Carmarthenshire County Council had encouraged Planet Zero to contact them with a view of using Idole School, when they did they were given short shrift.
• Cllr Whatley raised the issues of 'dog bag' being placed in bins in park, also could the Council arrange another litter pick.
• Cllr Totterdale raised the issue of large vehicles leaving the tip in Nantycaws, he reported that one had been across the dual carriageway attempting to turn right and that also that one had actually turned into westbound lane. Clerk to write to Authorities.

14. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 19th November 2015 at 6.30pm at Yr Aelwyd.


¦ Minute List ¦
¦ January 2015 ¦  February 2015 ¦  March 2015 ¦  April 2015 ¦  May 2015 ¦  June 2015 ¦  July 2015 ¦  September 2015 ¦
 October 2015 ¦  November 2015 ¦  December 2015 ¦



Every effort has been made to check the above for accuracy however if you find a mistake please contact us.




Copyright Llangunnor Network 2010-2024. (Privacy | Disclaimer)